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Think PieceI
don’t believe in the ceasefire because I don’t see the two armed groups
sit and drink tea together. The situation is like two bulls that glare
at each other before they start fighting.A villager elder from Pa-an, KIC, 19 November 2012

Downtown Rangoon are people talking excitedly about President
Obama’s visit. But 45 minutes away in the slums are those who don’t even
know he’s coming. Most of the changes, according to a former political
prisoner, have taken place only in the upper parts of the society.Billionaires come in to invest in the country. Many leave
unfulfilled. Businesses remain frustrated by thickets of restrictions
and bureaucrats accustomed to waiting for superiors’ orders. Changes
coming from Thein Sein’s office, according to government advisers, are
being bogged down at lower levels of the government.Changes in Burma, as in Vietnam during the 1980s, come from within the leadership and thus may be much more gradual.New York Times article, reprinted by Bangkok Post 20 November 2012

The problem hasn’t been with President Thein Sein, but with the military, their inability to change or lack of desire to reform.Jennifer Quigley, director, US Campaign for Burma, PBS, 19 November 2012

Change is happening in the upper levels of government, but the lives of the people are largely the same.Sein Win, managing director, Mizzima News, IRIN, 19 November 2012

2016 would be a critical year. That’s when a new parliament
dominated by the NLD will push for genuine constitutional change, and
the military will either agree or block it.Sein Win, managing director, Mizzima News, IRIN, 19 November 2012

Obama never mentioned the word federalism. Why didn’t he do it?
US democracy is successful because they use a federal system. And we are
asking for the same system. He also said there are over 100 ethnicities
in Burma, which is not true.Zo Zam, Chin National Party (CNP) leader, Irrawaddy, 21 November 2012The World18 November 2012The launch of Asean Economic Community (AEC) postponed from 1 January to 31 December 2015. (Mizzima)

18 November 2012The US and Burma have agreed to cooperate against all forms of trafficking in persons, says US state department. (Mizzima)

19 November 2012Bangladesh
government rejects comment by Aung San Suu Kyi suggesting Rohingyas may
be illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The country was founded only in 1971
since then there has been influxes of Rohingya into Bangladesh, says
Dhaka’s foreign ministry. (DVB)

20 November 2012Aung San Suu Kyi appointed an ambassador of the UNAIDS programme, says the agency. (AFP)

21-23 November 2012New Zealand PM John Key visits Burma. He announces $ 5.7 million aid package for the country. (Bernama)

22 November 2012Aung San Suu
Kyi, after meeting New Zealand PM John Key, expresses disappointment
over the fact that New Zealand and Australia have recognized Myanmar as
the official name. (Australian AP)Thai-Burma Relations18 November 2012There
are 200 students enrolled in the Thai language programme at Rangoon
University of Foreign Languages. According to Pisanu Suvanajata, Thai
ambassador, there are 3 incentives: to find work with Thai firms working
in the country, an increase in the number of Thai tourists and to
pursue higher degrees in Thailand. The rector is Ms Lwin Lwin Soe. (Bangkok Post)

19 November 2012Thailand and
Burma reaffirms commitment to develop Dawei economic zone. The first
phase, to be completed by 2015, concludes toll road, deep-water seaport,
industrial estates, powerplants, water supply, telecommunications,
high-speed train and residential communities. (Bangkok Post)Politics/ Inside Burma19 November 2012Aung
San Suu Kyi’s proposal to upgrade the Rangoon university into an
educational hub passed by 148 votes to 64. It is supported by most
military appointees. (Myanmar Times)

23 November 2012Hkun
Htun Oo, leader of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD),
says he is planning to organize a Shan State conference, following the
conclusion of the Shan conference, 26-28 November. (SHAN)Economy/ Business10 November 2012Minister
for Energy U Than Htay says Burma will receive $ 13.81 million per year
for right of way for oil-gas pipeline under 30 year contract.Rakhine - 879.75 acresMagway - 1,121.47 acresMandalay - 1,767.93 acresShan State - 1,929.44 acresTotal - 5,636.596 acresCompensation amounting to 27.662 billion kyat has been paid for land and crops. (New Light of Myanmar)

16 November 2012US State of Treasury releases joint statement easing ban on items imported from Burma:

Waiving ban set forth in 2003 Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act

General license authorizing anything to be imported, save for jadeite or rubies

Non-authorization of transactions with anyone blocked under the US
sanctions program, such as front companies for Steven Law and Tayza

(Wall Street Journal)

18 November 2012Craig
Steffensen, country director of ADB’s Thailand resident mission, says
ADB, would consider financial support to Dawei, but the project’s
developer has yet to submit proposal and feasibility study to the bank. (Bangkok Post)

19 November 2012Washington
Times publishes opinion piece by Arizona Congressman Trent Franks saying
army atrocities against the Kachin may amount to war crimes or crimes
against humanity. (Irrawaddy)

20 November 2012More
than 1,000 people demanding closure of copper mining project in
Letpadaung range, Monywa district, has been holding demonstration since
18 November. (Irrawaddy)

21 November 201214 of the 25
lawyers, who had their licenses revoked for political reason, have
regained their licenses this week, according to lawyer Aung Thein.
However, others like Pho Phyu, lawyer acting for farmers against land
grabs, have yet to regain them. (Irrawddy)

21 November 2012Religious
leader Dr Htun Aung sentenced by Sittwe court to a total of 12 years
imprisonment. Charges include instigating riot and fraud. He had assured
that the gathering to pray for 10 Muslims killed by Arakanese mob in
Taunggok on 3 June would not result in violence, but it did. (Irrawaddy)

24 November 2012Police
arrest 5 People’s Democracy Party (PDP) leaders and charge them for
defamation. The party’s monthly bulletin had accused Kachin State Chief
Minister Lajon Ngan Hsai of demanding bribes. (Irrawaddy)Obituary21 November 2012Sao Ood Kehsi, 65, CEC member of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), passes away in Taunggyi. (SHAN)